The Design Files: Inside the beautifully restored 1960s home of Grazia Materia

WHO: Furniture designer and manufacturer Grazia Materia and Steve Parry and their son Orlando (6 yrs)

WHERE: Beaumaris, VIC

WHAT: A beautifully restored 1960s house.

Grazia Materia is a proud and passionate design enthusiast, with a particular soft spot for mid-century homes.

She has been known to door-knock new owners of mid-century homes in her local area, introducing herself and just checking that they don’t plan on knocking their new house down.

She’s also permanently up to date with all the real estate listings in her neighbourhood, always keen to find thoughtful buyers who will recognise the heritage value of these properties.

Grazia and her husband Steve bought their house on a quiet cul-de-sac in bayside Beaumaris nine years ago.

Initially, the pair undertook cosmetic changes to make the home liveable – painting and installing new carpet, followed by new window furnishings in keeping with the mid-century style of the place.

Later, they tackled the kitchen, which was in desperate need of an update, installing new cabinets in American oak, designed in collaboration with architect Clare Cousins.

With a “C” shape footprint enveloping a lush central courtyard,  Materia’s home is typical of the era. It was built and designed by Martin Sachs in 1965, who is responsible for many homes in the area.

“The house is compact and modest with a glazed central courtyard which makes it feels light and spacious” says Materia.

The original design features of the house still make the impact that they would have in the 1960s, especially the crazy paved slate floor, that starts from the driveway outside, and comes all the way into the house.

Materia and Parry have sensitively updated their home, and furnished it with a careful balance of contemporary pieces from  Materia’s own company, Grazia and co, as well as a collection of beautiful mid-century finds.

One particularly treasured piece is the Featherston “Talking chair” in the master bedroom. This classic piece was originally designed in 1967, a collaboration between Robin Boyd and Grant Featherston for the Australian pavilion at the world expo in Montreal.

Much like the house itself, it’s a piece that still feels bold and contemporary today, more than 40 years after it was first designed.

The Design Files guide to balancing old and new

Updating an older home sensitively, and combining period features with modern conveniences is always a careful balancing act.

To ensure a seamless connection between old and new, consider the following:

• Be informed by existing features – classic mid-century materials such as slate paving, timber panelling and bold ceramic tiles should be incorporated into kitchen or bathroom updates, ensuring a consistent aesthetic.
• Prioritise comfort – older homes benefit from soft edges, so consider plush carpets, soft furnishings and generous window dressings. (And curtains should always hang all the way to the floor – no exceptions!)
• Above all else, invest in quality craftsmanship when decorating or updating an older style home – use experienced tradespeople who will retain and preserve timeless period details.